Ban on the use of lead shot – finally!
Posted 10 Jul 2025

Posted on the 5th April 2003
National campaign group Animal Aid has called for the annual Grand National horse race to be banned following the horrifying death of Goguenard in Saturday's gruelling race that also saw favourite Iris Bleu carried off in a horse ambulance and Youlneverwalkalone injured.
Just 14 of the 40 starters finished. Goguenard fell several feet from a fence onto his back and a jockey then fell onto the horse’s stomach. Goguenard was trained by Sue Smith, wife of former showjumper, Harvey. She also trained The Last Fling, who broke his neck in last year’s Grand National.
Twenty-nine horses have now died since 1997 during the three-day Grand National meet – eight of them in the Grand National itself. Two perished in last year’s race. Coolnagorna was the other 2003 victim. The six-year-old was destroyed following Thursday’s St Austell Brewery Mersey Novice Hurdle Race, after falling and breaking a hind leg.
The deaths are more evidence of the suffering that is an intrinsic part of the Aintree event. Animal Aid believes that such carnage cannot be justified in the name of ‘sport’ and is therefore calling for a ban on the Grand National.
Posted 10 Jul 2025
Temperatures are rising and it’s time to get outdoors, enjoy the weather and tuck into some delicious vegan food! Thanks to an abundance of plant-based options now available, there’s an alfresco option for every tastebud...
Posted 09 Jul 2025